General information

Taxonomy

Phylum

Chordata

Sea squirts, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals

Class

Ascidiacea

Sea squirts

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Found all around Britain and Ireland

Habitat information

Grows on a variety of stable substrata including algae and artificial substrata. Thrives in sheltered areas including docks. Although mainly found on the lower shore and in shallow depths, Berrill (1950) notes that it has been found at depths of several hundred metres.

Description

Flat or fleshy colonies with zooids 2-4 mm across arranged in conspicuous star shaped systems, each with a central cloacal opening. Colonies vary greatly in colour including green, violet, brown and yellow.